5 YANKEES YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

Mark Teixeira: Eric Boland of Newsday (HERE) has the story of Tex.  Yes, he's rehabilitating in Tampa and yes, there is a chance we could see him this season still.  Boland writes: "Teixeira (left calf strain) continued his rehab in Tampa, taking BP and fielding grounders, but not running the bases, though not because of a setback. “It was a planned day of no jogging,’’ Joe Girardi said. “He’ll go back at it [Wednesday]"

David Aardsma: The Animal has been activated. According to the Washington Post (HERE), "Aardsma has not pitched since 2010 with Seattle. He had Tommy John surgery last year. Manager Joe Girardi says he will be cautious with how he uses Aardsma out of the bullpen with the Yankees in a tight division race."

Brett Gardner: Gardy was also activated. I know you gotta love this. According to ESPN (HERE), Joe Girardi said of Brett, "We feel that Gardy can help us on the basepaths... I don't know how realistic it is that he could do more." Look, I love speed and if Gardner is a pinch runner here and here when we need him, there is no doubt he will help the team. I'm really glad he's back.

(In Photo: Justin Thomas)
Justin Thomas: Thomas was one of the guys designated for assignment.  He's a lefty so I wasn't sure if I like this, but we have Boone Logan and Clay Rapada, so we'll deal.  While Thomas was with the Yankees, here was his line: 4 G, 9.00 ERA, 3 K, 1 BB. Read about Thomas and the rest of the moves HERE.

(In Photo: Steve Pearce, right)
Steve Pearce: Pearce was also designated for assignment along with Thomas.  Now, I find that interesting because much like BYB has said, if the Yankees were truly high on Pearce, they would have kept him around. Instead, they released Brandon Laird, a young kid with huge potential, they resign Pearce and then, when Brett Gardner and David Aardsma are ready to come up, they DFA him. Meanwhile, we'll never know what it would have been like for a guy like Laird. Anyway, read about what Jeana Bellezza said about that in HELLO PEARCE, GOODBYE LAIRD, it's a smart and interesting piece. For the record, Pearce's line looked like this in New York: 4-25, 1 HR, 4 RBI. Laird's line in Houston looks like this: 7-23, 1 HR, 4 RBI.

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PETTITTE REVVED UP, YANKEES WIN IN MINN

The Yankees came off an exciting series against the Oakland A's which they had two walk-offs the first 2 games. But Sunday their winning streak came to halt in a tough loss to the A's. Last night, the Yankees kicked off a series in Minnesota against a Twins team that has struggled all season. The Yankees struck first in the top of the first against rookie pitcher Liam Kendriks as Alex Rodriguez had an RBI fly out and Nick Swisher followed him with a two run home run to put the Yankees up 3-0 to start the game.

Andy Pettitte made his first away game start coming of the DL and he pitched excellent! He silenced the Twins in the bottom of the 1st and lead himself to 6 scoreless innings... another scoreless appearance. Curtis Granderson hit his 40th home run of the season in the 4th to put the Yankees up a commanding 4-0 lead.

Home runs, plus a dominant Pettitte equals a good day for the Yankees. Liam Hendriks would settle down all until he gave up home runs to Raul Ibanez and Eric Chavez in the 7th which would end his night. Joba Chamberlain worked another 1-2-3 for the Yankees in the bottom of the 7th. Cory Wade would come in to pitch the 8th but gave up a home run to Pedro Florimon to end the shut out. Joe Girardi would take the ball from Cory Wade and bring in Justin Thomas to get out of the 8th. Justin Thomas came back out into the 9th but gave up 2 base-runners and Joe Girardi would take the ball from him to bring in David Robertson. David Robertson who has been very good down the stretch gave up a triple to Chris Parmelee that would cut the lead to 6-3. David Robertson would buckle down to strike out the next batter and get Pedro Florimon to ground out to end the ball game.

Player of the Game: Andy Pettitte. It was a hard choice, but you can't ask any more from the guy like this! He has been consistent for us since his return in May and I'm excited to see him back for the playoffs.

Final Score: Yankees 6 - Twins 3


If you are wondering, the Yankees plan to call up David Aardsma today from the 60 day DL. The Yankees signed him as a free agent this off season. He is a former closer for the Seattle Mariners. BYB is looking forward to seeing him back in the pros.

--Sam Thaler, BYB Contributor
Twitter: @samt1836

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YANKEES LEFT IN THE DARK IN LIFELESS EFFORT

Last night was a nightmare game for Yankees. They didn't get crushed, but they showed nothing.  What should have been the most important game for them in a 3 game series against Buck and the Baltimore Orioles became another loss as they see their lead in the AL East shrinking. This is a game that we all need to forget about. Also, understand this... the Yankees have been struggling but I do believe once ARod and Mark Teixeira are back in the lineup there will be major change. Both of their presence helps the whole team.

Hiroki Kuroda wasn't as sharp as he usually last night. The Orioles got to him in the 2nd inning as the inning started off with singles by Jones and Matt Wieters, then Chris Davis hit a sac fly which scored Jones. Mark Reynolds followed that with a long home run which put Baltimore up 3-0. After that, Kuroda settled down but in the 6th, he gave up a solo home run to JJ Hardy.

The Yankees threatened in the bottom half of the 6th but their runners in scoring position struggles continue. Miguel Gonzalez, who was excellent for Balitmore, buckled down to get out of trouble. Mark Reynolds hit his 2nd home run of the game in the 9th and Nick Markakis hit an RBI single which lengthened their lead and put the game out of hand. Curtis Granderson got the Yankees on the scoreboard in the 9th but that was not nearly enough as the Orioles would hold on to win Game 1 of the most important series of the season for both teams... 6-1. The Yankees need to come back today and get a victory.

Keys of the Game: The Yankees had a textbook rally going in the 6th but their RISP struggles set the tone for the game.

Key player of the Game: Mark Reynolds. Mark Reynolds had two home runs tonight for 3 RBI's and scored half of the Orioles runs.

Final: Orioles- 6 Yankees- 1

W: Gonzalez (6-3) L: Kuroda (12-10)

If anyone is interested here are the 6 players that will be called up tomorrow: Catcher Francisco Cervelli, Infielder Eduardo Nunez, Outfielder Chris Dickerson, and pitchers Cory Wade, Adam Warren, and Justin Thomas. 

--Sam Thaler, BYB Contributor
Twitter: @samt1836



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WHAT'S NEXT FOR PETTITTE, GARCIA AND PHELPS?

So with what appears to be Andy Pettitte clearly taking David Phelps spot in the rotation after a stellar performance by Phil Hughes on Saturday, read HERE. The question now is, what happens now with David Phelps?  Easy answer, back to the bullpen.

David Phelps did a tremendous job for the Yankees, answering their call for a starter after Freddy Garcia really just couldn't get it together this season as a starter. Read HERE. Look, that's why Phelps is there, a starter himself and reliable, it was logical to put him in that roll and put Freddy Garcia in the bullpen.

David Phelps in 2 starts this season racked up 8.2 IP and had an ERA of 2.08.  I'll take that and over time if we need Phelps in a spot start, we have him and there's nothing wrong with that.   But now with Phelps moving into the bullpen again, will something eventually happen to Freddy Garcia? Look, there is no question Garcia is not the same guy he once was. They Yankees must be talking about it, be it a release situation or maybe even a trade for missing parts? Time will tell.

The Yankees made another move though in their attempt to keep gather arms and this new one is a lefty. MLB's Thomas Boorstein writes that the Yankees  "...claimed left-hander Justin Thomas, a former Red Sox reliever, whom Boston designated for assignment Thursday... Through seven appearances with the Red Sox, Thomas posted a 7.71 ERA in 4 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out two. Two of those appearances (and one of those runs) came against the Yankees..." Read it all HERE.

 All this on a weekend when Andy Pettitte came back to the Bronx in what started out as a scoreless ballgame.  Eventually Andy Pettitte got the loss, but he was back, he was bad ass and Yankee fans love him.  I wrote WHY THE YANKEES BIGGEST TEST IS PETTITTE, not because I don't believe in the guy, but it's clear that Yankeeland "feels" like this is the fix that will let the Yankees right on to October.  It's too early to say, that's the bottom line. Yes, I have faith that Andy can get back and I know he'll get stronger as the season goes, but right now, I am not going to tell you that I'm going to put all my eggs in my Pettitte basket.   I will tell you I'll be rooting hard, much like I did Saturday when Phil Hughes looked absolutely amazing.  Yes, it's true, the Yankees still have pitching questions believe it or not, but I believe as May comes and goes and we reach the hot days of summer, we're going to start to see a ryhthm, it's beginning now of course with CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova, but as time moves on, Hiroki Kuroda may join the party with consistancy, Hughes and then Andy Pettitte... just the way we like it.

Quest for #28... here we come.

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